Career Advice: Draughting

[goswald]

Hi,

I'm currently a 29 year old graphic designer and looking at changing my career.

I am interested in Draughting, specifically Architectural Draughting. I see Intec College has part-time courses.

Is this a good move, good career etc?

Any advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Voicy]

It can be tedious and the pay isn't great, but I can think of a LOT of other jobs that are much worse. I loved technical drawing at school and did it until 3am some mornings to get ahead on homework.

I still work with CAD / Microstation now, but not draughting exclusively. The architects I deal with have lots of young draughtsmen and they aren't just keyboard monkeys, they know their stuff and the capacity to grow is definitely there.

If you're interested in it, definitely go for it. The Intec courses aren't hectically expensive and with your background you should cruise through it!

 

[goswald]

Thanks Voicy,

Do you by any chance know what the pay is?

You mention the capacity to grow, what sort of growth are you referring too?

 

[goswald]

Can anyone suggest a good place to study part-time?

 

[Nanfeishen]

Heres one link you could start at for further info on places to study etc
http://draughting.co.za/

money wise :

R350 000 – R200 000 ND Civil Engineering/ Draughting Certificate Draughting and detailing of reinforced concrete... in this ever busy office as a permanent member of their draughting and detailing team. Be involved in draughting and detailing...

www.careerjunction.co.za - June 19

http://www.careerjet.co.za/search/jobs?s=draughting

Its a good career choice, and if you are single and prepared to travel, could be quite versatile regarding projects in other countries as well (Southern Africa region)

 

[Cheri_N]

My son’s father is an architect & the last time I spoke to him he was b&tching that there is not a lot of work out there for architects (this was in reference to my son’s maintenance). If one can believe him then it might be prudent to first do some market research.

 

[Palimino]

Hi,

I'm currently a 29 year old graphic designer and looking at changing my career.

I am interested in Draughting, specifically Architectural Draughting. I see Intec College has part-time courses.

Is this a good move, good career etc?

Any advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

From my background (R&D) I would have thought Graphic Design was the better option. The career path wends through ‘Tracers’ first and the draughting seemed to be limited to formalizing the designers sketches on the back of cigarette packets, serviettes and white-boards into a form suitable for the client or legal issues. Much of draughting seems to have gone the route of software like AutoCad (software libraries, etc.) and A0/A1 plotters. Designers tend to use the old draughting table for thumbsuck brainstorming with free-hand sketches. Not much leeway for independent action, but my experience is not architectural which may be different.

 

[TowerGuru]

Hi,

I'm currently a 29 year old graphic designer and looking at changing my career.

I am interested in Draughting, specifically Architectural Draughting. I see Intec College has part-time courses.

Is this a good move, good career etc?

Any advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

That is why you should have studied Architecture first

If you have an Architecture degree you can do almost anything: Architectural Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design.
My advice to you, as a dude who has studied architecture and has an undergraduate degree in architecture and is currently working is to not even bother going through any of these private institutions. Find the nearest University of Technology and get yourself a B.tech in architecture.

if that is not an option then go the route you specified, but you will not be earning as much as you could be with a degree.
i myself work freelance - i make almost 3 times as much as any one else in my similar experience bracket, but it is not a regular income which can be frustrating.

 

[MidnightWizard]

Ad-Vice

That is why you should have studied Architecture first

OK
Here is my take ( your mileage will vary )

IF you really want to understand about creating buildings -- FIRST go and work for a construction company.
Where you actually physically BUILD stuff. ( and learn how to do it )
Learn how to understand building plans ( from the other side of the desk of the Architect that drew them up )
You will also learn far more about the realities of Architecture ( as long as you have an open inquiring mind )

In this benighted country they probably want you to have some sort of qualification first
(Unlike other countries where the demographics are different to here -- Cheap unskilled labour gets the first unqualified foot in the door -- and -- stays there forever ! )

Once you are happy you have acquired knowledge enough then go and do a Varsity degree
but
NOW you have actual useful usable skills for holiday jobs
or
A diploma and start climbing from there.

Construction ( and thereby Architecture is a feast or famine occupation )
When ZUPTA screws the economy -- the economy screws the building trade

WHY do you think the majority of Architect companies are in the Western Cape ( Cape Town )
or
Johannesburg
or
Durban

How many architects in
PofAdder
or
PutSonderWater

( There is one at GrootBrak .... )

 

[Pitbull]

Hi,

I'm currently a 29 year old graphic designer and looking at changing my career.

I am interested in Draughting, specifically Architectural Draughting. I see Intec College has part-time courses.

Is this a good move, good career etc?

Any advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

Dono much about Architectural Draughting, but mechanical Draughting there is a massive demand for and they make a killing. Mate of mine works at a mine with the toolmakers. Nice hours and makes a killing.

 

[Hamster]

 

[MidnightWizard]

Slim Vang sy BAAS

My very dear CLEVER friend
YOU are very late to the party

What actually resurrected this thread was a "commercial" post by one of these colleges
Since DELETED ( without trace )

STRANGE things are happening here on MyBB

SO

In that respect your ghoulish image is quite fitting
However
NOT for the purpose you intended !

Thanks for inadvertently bring to light these very strange happenings !

 

[Hamster]

My very dear CLEVER friend
YOU are very late to the party

What actually resurrected this thread was a "commercial" post by one of these colleges
Since DELETED ( without trace )

STRANGE things are happening here on MyBB

SO

In that respect your ghoulish image is quite fitting
However
NOT for the purpose you intended !

Thanks for inadvertently bring to light these very strange happenings !

I dunno 'bout all that, but what you quoted was from 2010.

Regardless, my brother is a draughtsman. From the looks of it it is a struggling/tough sector to make a career in. Lot's of work in mechanical, but not so much in construction.

 

[Azg]

....

Construction ( and thereby Architecture is a feast or famine occupation )
When ZUPTA screws the economy -- the economy screws the building trade .......
)

As per MidnightWizards post. At the moment the construction industry seems to be leaning towards the famine side, therefore the OP may not get as high salaries as was previously the case.

There is a increasing number of tiny companies fighting for less and less projects which means companies have to offer huge fee discounts to get any work. The result is that salaries are reducing / not rising as much. Most companies seem to be operating with one or two experienced staff overseeing lowly paid interns/ less experienced staff, with the emphasis being on lowly paid. I don't know whether this is the same situation in the graphics design industry.